Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-08-05

Thomas Ewing was the first person bearing
the name of Ewing 10 achieve national distinc-
tion in this country, illustrating by his career
the saying that IL takes many generations TO
produce one genius. He has distinguished sons
living, but II is not likely that any one OF them
lays claim TO such massive intellect us was
cheerfully ascribed to their father by all per-
sons of sense who knew him socially or profess
sionally.
Other Ohio men have climbed to greater
heights and had more splendid honors awarded
them, but 1t is not probable that any other citi-
zen of this State ever possessed more ability
and more character.
Thomas Ewing was born on the 2sth day OF
December, 1889 Qwo years after the first settle
mept in Ohio) His birthplace was small
iarn near West Liberty, in Ohio County, Vir-
gina.
Prior TO the revolutionary war the family of
Thomas Ewing lived near Greenwich, in Cum
berland County N. j. George Ewing the father
OF The Ohio Senator, was born IN the family
mansion at Greenwich in 1904. He was
in the New Jersey troop in the
revolutionary war, and rose to the
rank of Lieutenant While he was in the army
he sold the property that he had Inherited on
credit, and was paid in the end in Continental
money, which was worth at that time but little
more than the paper ON which IL was printed,
but being legal tender he was forced TO take 1t.
Poverty being thus thrust upon him, he turned
his face westward with many another desparng
soldier. He settled in Ohio County Va.
In 17G the family removed to the mouth OF
Olive Green creek, on the Mustingum river
During the Indian war that followed the Ewing
family were frequently compelled 10 seek pro-
lection from the sayages In the block-house,
mud II was In one OF these rude forts and In these
uoublous times that young Ewing learned TO
read. The Bible was the only book available,
and he pored over its wonderful pages with
such intense ayidity that he was dubbed "The
Bishop" name that clung TO him for many
years. In 1871 he went TO school about seven
months, and later in the same year joined his
father who, for some unaccOuntahle reason,
had pushed still further into the wilderness and
taken up his abode on Federal Creek, in Athens
County, seventeen miles beyond tho frontier.
Here for nearly three years the family lived with
out intercourse with the world
IN 1901" wrote Mr.. Ewing In his auto bio
graphical notes, "some one Of my fathers fam
lily being III, DIR. Baker, who lived at Waterford
eighteen miles distant was called in He took
Lotice OF me Is reading boy, and told me he
had II book he would lend me II would come
for II. The book was n translation Of Virgil.
Ny father had hands employed In clearing
new field. On Sundays and AT leisure hours
read 10 them, and never had a more attentive
audience. AZ the point In tho narrative where
<Eneas dlscloses 10 Dido his purpose OF leaving
her, and tells her OF the vision OF Mercury bear
ing the mandate OF JoVe, one of the men sprang
10 his feet, declared he did not believe q word OF
that-he believed that Asneas was tired OF Juno
and made up the Joye story as an excuse 10 be
OF, and declared IL was - shame after what
Lhe had done for him 10 use her So"
These notes OF early times, written by Mr.
Ewing himself, are very interesting, and the
State aas SO small then that they make very
considerable contribution TO It's written history.
Our next neighbors said he, were Ephram
Cutler, Sylyanus Ames, William Brown, and
faw miles distant Nathan Woodbury., George
Vol and Christopher Herrold, Slas Dean Mar
lin li0yles, John and Samuel MeCune.
The spirit OF New England was manifesting
itself. and about this time, continues Mr.
Ewing the neighbors In our and the surround
Ing settlements agreed 10 purchase booLs aud
. AXE e9Emon library. They raised IN all